After a gap of 21 years, a Punjabi player will lead the Indian Hockey team in Tokyo Olympics 2022. Manpreet Singh, DSP, Punjab Police has been entrusted this responsibility.
Manpreet belongs to Mithapur village of Jalandhar district. As many as 21 years ago, Ramandeep Singh Grewal had led the team as Captain in Sydney Olympics 2000.
Under Manpreet’s captaincy, the Indian team has achieved important milestones, including winning the Asia Cup in 2017, claiming the Asian Champions Trophy in 2018 as well as winning the FIH Series Final in 2019 over the past four years.
“…I am humbled to have this opportunity of representing India at the Olympics for the third time, this time as team Captain. It is a very proud moment for me to be given this charge,” Manpreet said in a statement issued by Hockey India.
India also reached the quarterfinals of the 2018 World Cup in Bhubaneswar and performed exceedingly well in the FIH Hockey Pro League under Manpreet before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the schedule.
This will be Manpreet’s third Olympic Games and under his leadership, the team has also improved its world ranking to the No 4 spot right now. He will have two deputies in defenders Birendra Lakra and Harmanpreet Singh.
Birendra is a veteran defender who was also part of the London Olympic Games but missed out of Rio Games owing to a major knee surgery in 2016.
But since his return to the squad, Birendra has only grown in his performance and has been resolute in his role in the team.
Harmanpreet too has grown in his role as a dragflicker and defender since his Senior India debut in 2015.
In the absence of skipper Manpreet in 2019, Harmanpreet led the Indian team to a win at the FIH Olympic Test event in Tokyo.
On the other hand, Rani Rampal will lead the women’s team at next month’s Tokyo Olympics. Deep Grace Ekka and Savita will serve as two vice-captains of the national women’s hockey team.
Under Rani’s captaincy, the Indian team has achieved significant results over the last few years, including winning the Asia Cup in 2017, a silver medal at the Asian Games in 2018, silver at the 2018 Asian Champions Trophy as well as winning the FIH Series Final in 2019.
India also reached the quarterfinals of the 2018 FIH Women’s World Cup in London for the first time under Rani’s leadership.
